Boys and Girls Club awaits new facility

The facilities at Chandler's Boys and Girls Club are making their age known. Last weekend, a drinking fountain pipe broke. This week, the air conditioning went out in the learning center and the art room.

In the gymnasium, pieces of the ceiling are dangling high over the heads of the kids playing dodge ball.

The branch executive at the Boys and Girls Club's Compadre Branch is counting down to the November groundbreaking on a new, improved building.

"The new facility will make a huge difference. ... It's a big thing for me to know my kids have the best possible. Knowing the best is coming, they can't wait. Knowing we're going to have a gym that doesn't have holes, that's exciting for them," Mindy Elias said this week.

In May 2007, Chandler voters approved a bond that included about $8.5 million to build a modern facility for the thousands of kids who take advantage of the programs and meals the club provides. The city will build the campus and fund the utilities, as well as cover maintenance. The club will run the program, said Craig Younger, public information officer for Chandler.

Next week, those plans will be finalized and a public hearing will be held 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 17 to reveal them at the club.

The club has been at 300 E. Chandler Blvd. for 27 years, taking the campus over from previous occupant Seton Catholic High School, Elias said.

"It's very, very old," she added.

And while it has served its purpose - and about 220 kids on average each day - its time has come to an end.

The club will grow from 20,000 square feet to more than 30,000 square feet, with space for about 350 kids a day, plus community rooms for meetings, offices and a wellness center.

The kids are well aware of the plans.

"With two gyms we might be able to do more activities. Gym's my favorite and we don't get that a lot," said Daniel Mariani, 11, a fourth-year club member. "And maybe we'll have new air conditioning in the art room. It was really hot."

Matt Martinez, 10, has been at the club five years.

"I want to see all the new stuff they'll have. I like the game room a lot because I like to play pool," he said.

Top on Elias' wish list is an industrial kitchen. During the summer, the club hosts a federal program through the school district that serves free lunch to anyone 18 and younger. With the kitchen, Elias can plan meals year-round.

"One of the things we'll be able to do is serve a dinner to all of our youth and teens at night. That will produce a lot more kids coming," she said.

Elias started serving food to the kids about 9 months ago.

"We found once we introduced food into the program, kids really calmed down. Kids from different neighborhoods sit down and eat peanut butter and jelly. The simple thing of having food and being able to relax and eat has made such a difference in the club," she said.

The food is funded through donations and funds from the United Way.

With the kitchen, the options can grow from sandwiches to spaghetti and more.

Construction of the new building will take place on the current parking lot. Close to completion, a demolition crew will take down one of the three existing buildings to build the driveway, and the other two buildings will come down after the new building is ready, probably in September 2009.

At a glance

Tentative plans for new Chandler Boys and Girls Club facility:

31,500 square feet

Two gymnasiums

New Intel Computer Clubhouse, the largest in the world at more than 2,000 square feet

Teen fitness center

Teen center

Art room

Additional classroom

Stage

Wellness center where two doctors and a dentist will be available to serve anyone from the community

Police area where officers can complete paperwork and have a presence in the community

Community room for public meetings

Office space for nonprofit groups that need it